Single-use seal lock

ABSTRACT

A seal lock designed for a single use having a socket member and a plug insertable in said socket. The plug is provided with flexible arms which will coact with ledges in the socket portion to prevent removal of the plug when once inserted. The socket is provided with apertures for wires or threads and also the plug is provided with furrows for carrying such wires and threads.

I United States Patent 317, 320, 325,318, 319, 321, 322, 323, 324, 307.1; 24/16 BP, 30.5 P

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Tyden Murray....

Boruch Behrman Dessauer Chamberlin Primary Examiner-Marvin A. Champion Assistant Examiner- Edward J. McCarthy Attorney-Wenderoth, Lind & Ponack ABSTRACT: A seal lock designed for a single use having a socket member and a plug insertable in said socket. The plug is provided with flexible arms which will coact with ledges in the socket portion to prevent removal of the plug when once inserted. The socket is provided with apertures for wires or threads and also the plug is provided with furrows for carrying such wires and threads.

PATENIED JUL 6 19m 3,591. 223

INVENTOR EDUARDO DzLlMA CASTRO NLTO BY [7 k [kid lad /4%4/ g/ ATTORNEYS SINGLE-USE SEAL LOCK This invention relates to a seal lock for single use with wires or threads such as used in mailbags, or to secure parts and plates generally.

An object of the invention is to provide a seal lock having a socket portion and a plug portion which when in operative position cannot be separated without destroying the seal lock.

A further object of the invention is to provide means upon the socket and plug for guiding wires or strings.

With the above and other objects in view which will become apparent from the following detailed description, some preferred forms of the invention are shown in the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the socket and plug in assembled position.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the seal lock shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the seal lock of FIG. 1 showing threads in locked position.

FIG. 4 is an end view of the seal lock shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the plug.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a slightly modified construction.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the plug used in FIG. 6 with the socket illustrated in dotted lines.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the plug used in FIG. 6.

Referring to the drawings, the socket 1 has a hollow portion 2 larger than the mouth 3 through which the plug is to be inserted. On the sides of the hollow 2 there are provided ledges 4.

The sides 5 of the mouth 3 are inclined. A plug has a base 6 which fits the dimensions of the mouth 3 and is provided with angular sides 7. Projecting from the base 6 is a central portion 9 which branches at the top to two flexible side flaps 8. The inclination of the side flaps 8 corresponds with that of the inner walls I of the socket and when the plug is inserted into the socket the flaps 8 are bent inwardly as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 2 and then upon full insertion of the plug snap outwardly so that their ends 11 will lock with the ledges 4.

The central portion 9 is provided with side furrows 12 extending longitudinally and corresponding with the angular cutout portions 13 located at the top of the central portion 9. Such cutout portions 13 may also be provided with small teeth such as 14 shown in FIG. 7.

In the modified construction shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, the seal lock may be used in bands for closing used mailbags. In such case as shown in FIG. 6, the seal will be adjusted to the opening C of the ear A of the band B. In such case the plug differs slightly from the plug shown in FIG. 5 by having a prolongation of the base 6 to provide for the thickness of the ear A. Then at the bottom of the base there is provided an extension 16 larger than the opening C of the ear.

The socket 1 may also be provided with holes 17 for the exit of the sealing wires. The wires D extend along the furrows l2 and may be firmly held by the teeth or points 14.

I claim:

1. A single-use seal lock for use with. a sealing wire or thread comprising a socket having a hollow with inclined sides, each of said inclined sides having a ledge portion projecting towards the center, said socket having an opening at its base with inclined walls, a plug member to be inserted into said socket having a base member with inclined walls to fit said opening, a central member extending upwardly from said base, furrows in said central member extending longitudinally from the base, means on the top of the central member and extending from the furrows for retaining the wire or thread, flexible inclined arms at the top of said central member extending towards said base designed to bend when inserted through said opening in said base member and then. have their ends snap in back of said ledge portions to prevent withdrawal of said plug member.

2. A seal lock as set forth in claim ll wherein the means for retaining the wire or thread in the furrows are teeth. A

3. A seal lock as set forth in claim 1 wherein said base IS elongated and an extension is provided upon said base larger than said opening in said base.

4. A seal lock as set forth in claim I wherein said socket is provided with apertures for wires. 

1. A singLe-use seal lock for use with a sealing wire or thread comprising a socket having a hollow with inclined sides, each of said inclined sides having a ledge portion projecting towards the center, said socket having an opening at its base with inclined walls, a plug member to be inserted into said socket having a base member with inclined walls to fit said opening, a central member extending upwardly from said base, furrows in said central member extending longitudinally from the base, means on the top of the central member and extending from the furrows for retaining the wire or thread, flexible inclined arms at the top of said central member extending towards said base designed to bend when inserted through said opening in said base member and then have their ends snap in back of said ledge portions to prevent withdrawal of said plug member.
 2. A seal lock as set forth in claim 1 wherein the means for retaining the wire or thread in the furrows are teeth.
 3. A seal lock as set forth in claim 1 wherein said base is elongated and an extension is provided upon said base larger than said opening in said base.
 4. A seal lock as set forth in claim 1 wherein said socket is provided with apertures for wires. 